Dissected Trash Objects Sezierte Müllobjekte

Thursday, July 19, 2012, 3 pm–7 pm

We all think we know what our waste looks like, but, in fact, a large part of it is invisible. Uncover and visualize the hidden processes and consequences associated with individual waste objects. Consider an apple, which apparently has no waste at all. However, if we count the bag in which we carry it home, the paper towel that we use to dry it, and the crate that is used to store and transport it, the footprint of that consumable item is much greater than it seems. Join in as we collaboratively confront our own trash by dismantling and analyzing individual pieces of locally sourced trash with the help of scales, barcode readers, open-source databases, and waste-management data.

This workshop is led by Dietmar Offenhuber and Pablo Rey.

Dietmar Offenhuber is a research fellow in the Senseable City Lab at the Department for Urban Studies and Planning at MIT, with a background in architecture, urban studies, and digital media art.

Pablo Rey is a member of Basurama, a creative collective based in Boston and Madrid whose work focuses on the study of waste.